Washington is questioning the leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the current stage, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said in an interview with CNN.
Mr. Waltz emphasized that the tense dispute between President Zelensky, President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on February 28 was a sign that the Ukrainian leader may not be ready for peace.
In an interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Mr. Waltz said: "We are not sure whether President Zelensky, especially after what happened on February 28, is ready to bring Ukraine to the end of this conflict."
Mr. Waltz stressed that President Trump believes Kiev and Moscow must make trade unions to stop the blood flow.
The US National Security Advisor pointed out that the meeting between Trump and Zelensky showed no signs of Zelenskys readiness to move towards peace.
When asked if the White House would like Zelensky to resign, advisor Waltz said: We need a leader who can work with us, eventually with Russia, and end the conflict.
Mr. Waltz also warned: "If Zelensky's personal or political motives are not in line with the goal of ending the war, we will have serious problems."
In an interview with Breitbart Radio, Mr. Waltz compared Mr. Zelensky to an ex-girlfriend who always wants to argue about the past instead of the future.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed to ABC News that he has not contacted Zelensky since February 28, stressing that the Trump administration's goal is to bring Ukraine and Russia to the table.
President Trump is the only person in the world who has the opportunity to do this, Foreign Minister Rubio said.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who praised President Zelensky as a lifelong ally I have been looking forward to at the Munich Security Conference in early February, has now changed his mind. He told Fox News that the controversy between Zelensky and Trump was a missed opportunity.
Graham also told the Ukrainian people: I dont know if Zelensky can take Ukraine to where you want. Either he has to change completely, or Ukraine needs a new leader.
Graham later wrote in X that Zelenskys behavior was unacceptable and that his calls were becoming uncomfortable. The Senate also praised President Trump for standing up to protect the interests of the United States.
